Second Suspect Still Sought in State Street Homicide; Probable Cause Affidavit Details Timeline

JONESBORO — Newly released court records provide additional details about the early morning homicide on State Street that led to the arrest of Mario Stafford, while investigators say a second suspect involved in the shooting has not yet been arrested.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Jonesboro police were dispatched around 3:20 a.m. on Dec. 24 to the 300 block of State Street after a 911 caller reported a man had been shot. Officers arrived to find the victim seated in a chair inside the residence, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was later pronounced dead.

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Investigators said witness statements and surveillance footage indicate the shooting occurred after an unknown suspect entered the residence, pointed a pistol at the victim and fired a single shot. The projectile struck the victim in the side and exited the right side of his body, according to the affidavit.

During the investigation, detectives determined Stafford had been parked outside the residence shortly before the shooting in a blue Chevrolet Malibu. Police said Stafford was seen speaking with both the victim and another resident of the home earlier that night before leaving the area.

Real Time Intelligence Center (RTIC) surveillance footage reviewed by detectives showed Stafford’s vehicle leaving the area of the residence at approximately 3:02 a.m. and traveling through multiple nearby streets and parking lots over the next several minutes. Investigators said the footage captured a second individual inside the Malibu with Stafford at one point.

The affidavit states the vehicle later returned to the area, and surveillance footage shows an individual walking near the location where the car had been parked, using a cellphone before heading south between buildings. Moments later, witnesses told police the suspect approached the victim’s apartment, crossed the threshold, and fired the fatal shot.

RTIC footage then shows the Malibu pulling away from State Street around 3:19 a.m. Approximately 10 seconds later, the shooter was seen running from the apartment complex heading south, where he disappeared from view.

Based on the timeline and surveillance evidence, investigators concluded Stafford had prior knowledge of the crime and actively assisted in transporting and positioning the shooter, according to the affidavit.

Stafford was later arrested and charged with first-degree murder, aggravated residential burglary and a parole violation. Court records show he has a lengthy criminal history, including a prior arrest for capital murder, which NEA Report has previously documented.

Initially, Stafford’s temp bond was set at $1 million. Following our reporting and his first appearance in court on Dec. 29, Judge David Boling increased the bond amount to $5 million.

Police said the second suspect believed to have carried out the shooting has not yet been arrested, and the investigation remains ongoing.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.